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How heavy is the recommended wire for tying this trellis together? Aircraft safety wire pliers might do the trick, they hold the wire ends and twist it for you, kind of a backwards Yankee screwdriver effect. What is this thingee gonna be when it’s done?
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How heavy is the recommended wire for tying this trellis together? Aircraft safety wire pliers might do the trick, they hold the wire ends and twist it for you, kind of a backwards Yankee screwdriver effect. What is this thingee gonna be when it's done?
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BB: You've finally made the big-time...
Field Trip! Pack your bags and go island hopping in the Pacific. Some one of the tropical cultures must use a bamboo grid... hell it's even tax-deductable. Please post photos of your research, and much luck.
I suspect constructing this away from the wall against scaffolding may be easier? Complete and tip into place.
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I lived in the Philippines for two years in a bamboo house (a kitchen/dining area, a bedroom, and a porch). Not a single nail or wire in the the entire place. The locals tethered the bamboo together with thin strips of green bamboo. The bamboo was twisted much like a wire would be and the end of the twisted peice tucked under the wrapped piece. As the bamboo dried it would shrink and tighten up to a rock solid joint. Not only is the joint rock solid but it is very nice to look at. I might add I made it through several typhoons without a scratch. Good luck, find a Philipino to give you a hand.
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Thanks for your continued support. I'm heading to Asia.
I saw folks making some incredible bamboo ladders, once, on teevee, like m mcleod suggests, but I can't remember how they made the strips. ?????
This will be indoors, and as I gather, will somehow support orchids.
Architect involved here, and has also suggested the wire. Joe H, where can I find more info on these aircraft safety wire pliers.
I'll send my field trip pics to Joe, but I may never come back to finish it.
*http://www.aircraft-spruce.comJ
*Billy, you might want to check at your local airport for a lead on the aviation safety wire pliers if Joe H. can't help. At or near the "general aviation" area of the airport will be an aircraft maintenance company. Ask one of the mechanics where you can buy some of the pliers ... they clamp onto the wire ends, you pull the handle, and they twist the wire tightly and neatly.I sitll don't understand what you're building, but M. McLeod's idea of using bamboo strips is worth considering. I've seen scaffolding in the orient framed from bamboo tied with strips ... no nails, bolts, etc.Good luck, Steve
*This just in!Billy, check http://www.airsport.com/prodtool.htm for listing of possible plier suppliers. I've bought stuff from U. S. Industrial Tool & Supply, and they might have what you're looking for.Again, Steve
*Billy, Can't you drill pilot holes and screw those things at each intersection?
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oddly enough we have "been there done that" to hold ivy (philodendrin?). One of our specialty shops made up 14 gauge copper twist wires like the ones our foundation crew uses ( no jack, they don't use copper for that) and we were able to use our rebar yankees. Next time I will have them made up in a thinner gauge and a bit shorter. Pre-bend into a "C" and you can slide them in without hitting your knuckles. I would love to do the next one with strips and someone with nimble fingers who enjoys to tie.
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Hi Bill,
Gemplers http://www.gemplers.com has a manual wire twister and the automatic.
Manual is #PGT, auto is T11. These are for use with wire ties with pre-bent loops on end, like for tying sandbags, parts bags, etc.
They sell 16 gauge steel ties in 8" and 12" lengths, plain or coated in hi-vis yellow PVC if you want some color!
Have fun tying one(or a whole bunch) on.
Good health, Weogo Reed
*The plans have changed, good thing 'cause I couldn't find the safety wire pliers at any of the sites given, It's ok, I built a plane with the rest of the info, and am heading for the Phillipines. Watch out Amelia. I might find your secret island.It's a free standing affair now. Some sort of bamboo shelving 24' high. Got to keep those orchids comfy. I'm still waiting for the final plans. I'll post again, when minds are really made up!And there will be pictures.Thanks, flyin' high,BB
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This is starting to sound like scaffolding, think I saw on the cover of National Geographic several years ago a high rise going up in some 3rd world metropolis with an amazing bamboo scaffolding around it. Maybe a trip to China to pick up some tips would be in order? Willing to travel & translate, Joe
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I've been asked to make up 2 bamboo grids. They'll cover two stuccoed walls, 20' wide by 24' high at peaks. The grid spacing will be 6" square. Bamboo supplier suggests copper wire to hold the thing together.Looks like it will have to built in place. I'm seeing some pretty sore fingers from twisting, and scraped up knuckles from the stucco. Gloves don't seem like a possibility, but, they might work. Any better ideas out there? No, Home Depot does not have 'em ready made, I checked.
*Billy that's a new one for me. What's the purpose of the bamboo grid, interior or exterior, is anything done to it afterwards?
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More aviation safety wire pliers sources:
A bit of trivia: Though they are authorized for use by the FAA, the Army doesn't allow aircraft mechanics to use the pliers, as they can easily twist the wire too tightly, weakening the twist.